Flap-equipped cap



Marh 24, 1959 w. E. scHuEssLl-:R 2,878,479

FLAP-EQUIPPED CAP Filed May 11, 1955 IN VEN TOR.'

ATTHN Patef O FLAP-EQUIPPED CAP .Walter E. Schuessler, Chicago, lll.

Application May 11, 1955, Serial No. 507,565

3 Claims. (Cl. 2-172) This invention relates to a hap-equipped cap, and more particularly to a cap equipped with ear ilaps formed from a single swatch.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method whereby knitted material may be readily combined with a cap for the forming of ear flaps lwhich are formed from a continuous knitted swatch or band, the aps tending to remain tightly against the sides of the cap when in raised position and to draw inwardly about the ear when in lowered position. A further object is to provide a cap structure in which there is utilized a continuous swatch formed by zigzag knitting means whereby a section of the completed structure may be utilized in the forming of eiective cap aps. A still further object is to provide an improved hap-equipped cap structure and a continuous method for forming the same utilizing continuously-formed knitted swatch material. Other specific objects and advantages will appear as the specification proceeds.

The invention is shown, in an illustrative embodiment, by the accompanying drawing, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cap formed in accordance with my invention, the flaps being in raised position; Fig. 2, a view similar to Fig. l but showing the ilaps in lowered position; Fig. 3, an enlarged detail sectional view, the section being taken as indicated at line 3--3 of Fig. 2; and Fig. 4, a top plan view of a zigzag swatch which is utilized in the forming of the flaps for the cap.

In the illustration given, designates a cap equipped at its front with a bill or visor 11. The crown portion of the cap is preferably formed of an outer layer or body 12 and an inner lining material 13. For example, the outer fabric 12 may be formed of leather or imitation leather or fabric material, and the liner 13 may be formed of cotton, rayon and similar fabric. It will be understood that any suitable materials may be utilized in the production of the cap proper, consisting of the crown portion 10 and the bill or visor portion 11.

In the practice of my invention, I knit a zigzag form of swatch, as indicated broadly by the numeral 14, and this may be formed upon a continuous machine which is of well known structure. Such a machine is illustrated in a general way by Schuessler Patent 2,150,730. From the continuously knitted zigzag swatch, I cut segments in the shape illustrated in Fig. 4, the segment having a single V-shaped recess 15 on the lower side thereof and two pointed portions 16 and 17, while on the upper side of the swatch there are two recesses 18 and a single central point 19. Next I sever a swatch segment as shown in Fig. 4 along the longitudinal line 20, discarding the upper portion of the segment. The lower segment, having the single recess 15 and the points 16 and 17, is secured between the outer fabric 12 and the liner 13 at the lower edge of the crown, as illustrated in Fig. 3. The severed portion of the segment need not be stitched, but may be inserted simply in the cut form within the space between the members 12 and 13, as

2 illustrated in Fig. 3, and stitches 21 may then be passed through thev inwardly-folded edgeV portions'of the members 12 and 13 to secure the cut edge portion of the swatch segment securely withinthe lower portion of the cap crown.

`In the attachment of the lower section of the swatch to the cap, the end portions 22 are extended upwardly between the crownv portions 12and 13 and secured therein so that the outer, inclined edges 23 form inclined lines to the bill or visor 11, as shown more clearly in Figs. 1 and 2. Thus, the inclined portions 23 are utilized for extending across the bill or visor so as to draw the earaps inwardly and downwardly when in use about the ears, while at the same time the same portions are utilized for holding the flaps tightly against the crown when in raised position.

From the foregoing, it will be observed that an extremely quick and effective method for the forming of the Hap-equipped caps can be brought about by utilizing the zigzag continuous switches, it being necessary merely to cut the continuous zigzag swatches into segments as illustrated in Fig. 4 and then to cut each longitudinally along line 20, as indicated in Fig. 4 The severed swatch is then drawn upwardly between the portions 12 and 13 of the cap and in a single stitching operation the ilaps are anchored to the cap, as illustrated best in Figs. 2 and 3. In the resultant structure, the neckband of the cap is formed by the portion 24 above the V-recess 15, and the inclined forward edges of the swatch which are needed about the visor 11 are formed by the inclined edges 23, the upper portion of the lower segment extending freely within the space between the crown members 12 and 13, and since they are stitched permanently therein by stitching 21, there is no need for the gathering of the stitches along the upper severed line 20.

If desired, the lower point portion 17 may be provided with tight stitches in the area indicated by the numeral 25, such tight stitches having the tendency to draw the tip portion of the ilaps inwardly so as to cup under the ear. Mechanism for the forming of tight stitches at selected areas is illustrated in Schuessler Patent 2,150,730.

While, in the foregoing specification, I have set forth aspeciiic method and structure in considerable detail for the purpose of illustrating the invention, it will be understood that such details may be varied widely by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

1. A visor-equipped cap, comprising a double-ply crown portion secured to a visor, a knitted swatch having an upper severed, substantially straight end extending between the plies of the crown and stitched thereto, said swatch having its lower portion provided centrally with a V-recess and with a point on each side of the recess, the forward edge of each point extending over the visor of the cap and being stitched between the crown plies thereabove, each of said points being located with respect to the sides of the cap to form earcovering portions when the visor of the cap is positioned above a wearers face, the portion of said swatch between the apex of said recess and the upper severed end being positioned between said plies.

2. A unitary cap structure, comprising a double-ply crown portion having attached thereto a visor portion and a retractable ear-covering portion, the said earcovering portion including an elongated knitted swatch having a straight top edge and a lower edge equipped with a pair of V-shaped depending portions, the adjacent edges of said depending portions intersecting a spaced distance below said top edge and centrally of the length of said swatch, whereby when a longitudinallyextending portion deined by said top edge and the point Patented' Mar. t 24, 1959.-

of intersection of said adjacent edges is secured between References Cited in the file of this patent thetwo. plies of said crownrthe depending portionstare` UNITED STATES PATENTS adapted to cover the ears of.a wearer, a portion of each of the opposite edges of said depending portions ex- 251572 Goldmann f Dec' 27 1881 tending over saidA visor, whereby said vison-cooperates 5 948273 Flqestone et al' Feb' 1 1910 with;,the;portion of said swatch extendingUthereover-to 1050310 Stemberg et al' Ian 14 1913 produceatghtening actiononsaid swatch.` 1471724 Enltenl gt' 23 1923 3. 'I'hcrstructurevof claim 2, in :which thedowen part 2'1789 41 Sc ess er- ""T' ov 7' 1939 of both V-shaped depending portions is provided with: 2664725 Schuessler Jan' 5 1954 tight kstitches to promotev a cup-like formation in said 10 FOREIGN PATENTS depending portions when the cap is placed on the head 506,572 Canada n Oct. 19' 1954 of a `wearer and the said depending portions are pointed downwardly` 

